The term used to describe a blood sodium level of more than 145 mEq/L is:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: hypernatremia. Hypernatremia refers to an elevated level of sodium in the blood, specifically when it is more than 145 mEq/L. Choice A, hyponatremia, is incorrect as it refers to low sodium levels. Choice B, hyperkalemia, is incorrect as it refers to high potassium levels, not sodium. Choice D, hypercalcemia, is also incorrect as it relates to elevated calcium levels, not sodium.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Interstitial fluid. Interstitial fluid is the fluid that surrounds and occupies the spaces between cells, providing them with nutrients and removing waste. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because intracellular fluid refers to fluid inside cells, plasma refers to the liquid component of blood, and electrolyte refers to substances that dissociate into ions in solution, affecting fluid balance but not specifically found in spaces between cells.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In the context of medical-surgical nursing, understanding fluid and electrolyte balance is crucial for providing safe and effective patient care. In this question, the correct answer is D) ADH (antidiuretic hormone). ADH is produced in the pituitary gland and acts on the kidneys to increase water reabsorption, helping to retain water in the body and reduce urine output. This hormone plays a key role in regulating water balance and preventing dehydration. Option A) Intracellular fluid and option B) Interstitial fluid are types of body fluids, but they are not hormones produced in the pituitary gland. They do not directly influence water reabsorption in the kidneys. Option C) Plasma is the liquid component of blood, which contains water, but it is not a hormone that regulates water absorption in the kidneys. Educationally, this question highlights the importance of understanding the role of hormones in fluid regulation. Nurses need to recognize the actions of hormones like ADH to assess and manage patients with fluid and electrolyte imbalances effectively. By grasping the functions of hormones involved in fluid balance, nurses can intervene appropriately to maintain homeostasis and promote positive patient outcomes.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Dehydration. Prolonged vomiting or diarrhea can lead to significant fluid loss, causing dehydration. Intracellular fluid (choice A) and interstitial fluid (choice B) refer to specific compartments of body fluid and are not conditions resulting from vomiting or diarrhea. Electrolytes (choice D) are minerals that help maintain fluid balance in the body but are not the condition directly resulting from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Assessing the specific gravity in a patient with SIADH helps the nurse evaluate the patient's fluid volume status. Specific gravity indicates the concentration of solutes in the urine and can detect if the patient has a fluid volume deficit or excess. Nutritional status, potassium balance, and calcium balance are not directly assessed through specific gravity testing. Nutritional status is typically evaluated through dietary intake and anthropometric measurements. Potassium balance is assessed through blood tests and ECG monitoring. Calcium balance is evaluated through blood tests and bone density scans. Therefore, the correct answer is assessing fluid volume status through specific gravity testing.